Work will close Ottumwa bridge for most of 2014

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Crossing the Des Moines River in Ottumwa will soon take a little more planning as crews prepare to start work on the city’s Market Street Bridge that will close the span for most of the year.

City public works director Larry Seals tells the Ottumwa Courier (http://bit.ly/1e0rpsU ) the project will likely start in mid-February and could last until November.

Workers will replace and widen the bridge deck, which was installed in the early 1970s.

The bridge deck is nearing the end of its lifespan, but Seals says the bridge’s superstructure should last for many years.

The project will cost nearly $3 million.

Although the Market Street Bridge will be closed to motorists, there are several other river crossings that they can choose from.